Monsieur Didot took its name from a French man, Ambroise Firmin Didot, a true
philhellene, whose name was also given as an honour by the Greek state to the
street right next to the two-storey mansion house. The name seemed fitting for
the sisters Natalia Georgopoulou and Margarita Papaioannou, who bought the
building - that was built in 1890 and served as a home to a wealthy Greek family-,
and decided to transform it into this lovely guesthouse.
Divided into six separate areas, four rooms and two suites, and a small terrace
where you can relax under the Athenian sky during hot summer nights, the property
has been refurbished but has also kept some of its old magic, including parts of the
frescoes on the walls, the marble fireplace, the high ceilings, the beautiful wooden
stairs. It is decorated with large bookcases, paintings of famous and emerging artists
and handmade ceramics, mostly in earthy tones, with a few pinches of colour here
and there. The old blends beautifully with the contemporary, as does luxury and comfort at Monsieur Didot. Each room has its own poetic name… The Tale of a Special Child, The Novel of a Platonic Tree Love, The Sonnet of a Secret Door - that last one actually has a secret door leading to the bathroom. Find it if you can! The mini bar is always fully stocked for whatever you fancy, while the large TV, comfy king-size bed and rainforest shower are bound to make you want to spend more time indoors than out.
Breakfast is served in the rooms and can be enjoyed one of two ways: out on the balcony or by the window looking out at the Athenian urban city structure. On the warmer days, you can also have your breakfast on the terrace. There are three different options, including a vegan one, and they usually come with a beverage (coffee, tea, milk, etc.), fresh slices of bread, eggs, Greek salad, Greek yoghurt, fruits, local honey and handmade marmalades, among others. If you have to leave the hotel early, staff can prepare a mini breakfast to enjoy on the go. They really know how to spoil you here. For fans of the Beatles, the building comes with a legacy, as rumour has it that the legendary musician John Lennon with his wife Yoko Ono, passed from there during a short incognito stay in Athens.
Neighbourhood
Kolonaki neighbourhood has a reputation for being one of the most expensive and
posh areas in Athens, where the Athenian high-class society used to live. Today, it is
a little bit more open to everyone, with several bars and restaurants all around the
area. The Syntagma main square is only 10’ from here, or you can reach the
Panepistimio metro station in half the time.
Nearby
1. Portatif: A small cosy coffee shop with delicious desserts and romantic
decor. Do not miss their red velvet cake!
2. To Mparaki tis Didotou: Live Greek music by emerging or established performers
at a bar that has been at the same spot for ages.
3. Papadakis: Fresh fish and seafood at one of the best restaurants in Athens of its
kind. If you’re lucky you might dine next to a celebrity, like Jean-Paul Gaultier or
Carla Bruni.
Time Out Tip
The hotel is only a few minutes from Mount Lycabettus, so head up to the top (walk
or take the cable car), where the small church of Agios Georgios is, and enjoy the
beautiful sunset as the red hues tint the apartment buildings and all the lights in the
city turn on one by one.